Periodic fault signal enhancement in rotating machine vibrations via stochastic resonance

This paper proposes a novel approach to periodic fault signal enhancement in rotating machine vibrations with a tristable mechanical vibration amplifier (TMVA) by exploiting stochastic resonance (SR). The TMVA is a nonlinear physical structure system that consists of a cantilever beam and a magnet system. Through the TMVA, the periodic weak signal can be amplified with the assistance of noise in the regime of SR. Benefitting from a wider interwell spacing and a smoother potential curve, the TMVA produces a more regular output waveform with lower noise in a wider operating bandwidth as compared to the monostable and bistable amplifiers. Different from the traditional signal enhancement approach which is based on digital signal processing (DSP) techniques, the designed physical structure can realize signal enhancement in a simple, intuitive, effective and adaptive way without too much complex operations. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach are validated by a simulated fault signal and the practical bearing and gearbox fault signals, in comparison with a traditional DSP-based SR method. The principle of the proposed approach shows potential applications on rotating machine fault diagnosis area and other areas related to weak periodic signal enhancement.